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A visit to Pixley National Wildlife Refuge on 8
Dec. 2003
"Greetings," said the dark phased Red-tailed Hawk, "what
is your business here?"
"I come to see cranes," said I.
"Go forth, there are many to be seen and heard," replied
the hawk.
So on I drove along the bumpy rutted road leading to the
refuge.
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Arriving at the parking area in the early afternoon, I
hoped I would see a few cranes on the refuge. Normally
mid-day is not the best time as they forage far afield and
spend the night on the refuge.
I look to get a trail brochure but find a nest of paper
wasps instead.
I found the guides in another place well away from the
wasps. |
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I start down the trail and look over hundreds of acres of
grass and marshland long ago withered in the blazing
summer sun.
Many birds are
enjoying the seeds of the dry sunflowers. A Lincoln's
Sparrow pops up to see what is making the noise.
"Greetings,
what is your business here?" said the sparrow.
"I come to see
cranes," said I.
"Well, I am awfully cute but if you want to see cranes, go
forth, there are many here now!" chirped the sparrow. |
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More rustling
amongst the dry sunflower heads, and up pops a curious
young White-crowned Sparrow.
"Greetings,
what 'cha doin'?" said the sparrow.
"I come to see
cranes," said I.
"Well, I am too young to know what cranes are, but there
are lots of big noisy things over there -->" pointed the
sparrow.
I keep walking up the trail, but there are so many other
things to see.
A Northern Mockingbird darts in and out of the trees and
bushes. A Spotted Towhee stealthily hops under cover of
the mulefat, only to be given away by its strangely hollow
chip.
I look down to see fresh tracks of coyotes and kit fox.
I have been told of a beautiful dark bobcat that inhabits
the refuge, but have never seen this animal. |
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I remember the last time I was on the refuge, and saw a
Great Horned Owl in the willows. I search and sure enough
a dark object turns out to be a sleepy owl.
"Hooo goes
there?" snorted the owl.
"I come to see
cranes," said I.
"Well, can't you see I am sleeping, if you must see
cranes, be gone, they are on the other side of the refuge,
and they disturb my sleep as well!" grumbled the grouchy
owl.
A Tree Swallow whizzed by my head. "Follow me I can show
you where there are some tasty bugs to eat."
"But," I protested. "I came to see cranes."
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"Well then certainly pay no attention to that Variegated
Meadowhawk trying to hide from me. Cranes are just a few
steps more."
Finally, I think I hear the cacophony of crane song. "Hey
little squirrel, have you seen cranes?"
The California ground squirrel replied, "what are you daft
lady, what do you think is making all that racket?" |
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Squirrelly
bugger was right on as I looked down the levee and what
did I see but hundreds of cranes lounging along the levees
and in the waters of this wonderful place. |
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Cranes are quite particular about being disturbed and
hundreds took to the air as I approached. |
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They circled
and circled. Squawking their "Garook" Garook" call all the
while. |
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Not cranes but Ross's Geese also shared the skies with the
cranes and other allies. |
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Thank you Fish
& Wildlife Service for making this place safe for crane's
and other critters. I intend to visit again before the
cranes depart in March for their breeding grounds. |
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The rest of the day flew by as I sat and stared at the
marvelous majesty of the Pixley cranes until the sun set
and the moon rose. What a magical place, our lovely little
blue planet, I felt so satiated in the warmth of nature's
enduring comfort. |
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Nature Alley is dedicated to protecting natural communities
wherever they exist. She is involved in many scientific and educational programs,
promoting environmental appreciation and ethics.
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